University of Plymouth, United Kingdom
Climate warming is reshaping mountain landscapes. Glacier retreat removes ice support, redistributes near-surface stress fields, and exposes slopes to changing hydrological and thermomechanical regimes, including permafrost thaw. These changes are increasing rockfall frequency and magnitude, creating escalating hazards for mountain communities, transport networks and visitors. Yet because rockfall is notoriously difficult to monitor, we lack detailed quantitative understanding of how rockfall dynamics are evolving concurrently with deglaciation. The Mont Blanc massif provides an exceptional natural laboratory, exemplifying processes driving change across deglaciating mountain regions worldwide. This project will provide evidence needed to understand how climate warming is reshaping rockfall dynamics and improve future hazard assessment for mountain communities.
You will combine field-based remote sensing and numerical modelling to quantify rockfall activity in accessible deglaciating catchments in the Mont Blanc massif. Objectives: (1) deploy long-range terrestrial laser scanning and low-cost time-lapse cameras to acquire repeat high-resolution topography and imagery of glacier-adjacent rock walls; (2) undertake 3D change detection to detect and characterise new rockfalls, and 2D rockfall scar spectroscopy to identify and date abundant existing scars preserved across rock walls, creating a novel inventory spanning recent events to centuries-millennia; (3) interrogate this inventory to reveal patterns in rockfall location, geometry and timing, testing the generality of existing hypotheses (e.g. larger rockfalls occur from newly deglaciated slopes), and; (4) undertake rockfall-runout modelling to reconstruct rockfall trajectories and predict future runout pathways, informing regional hazard assessment.
Key Information
- Discipline: Physical Geography
- Director of studies: Dr Matt Westoby
- Co-supervisors: Professor Anne Mather, Professor Stuart Dunning
- PhD studentship start date: 1 October 2027
Profile and Eligibility
The PhD studentship seeks an enthusiastic individual with a 2:1 degree (upper second-class honours) or above in physical geography, geology, physics, engineering, or related disciplines. Good quantitative skills are essential. Experience with high-resolution topographic data is desirable but not essential – training will be provided.
- Acceptable first degree subject(s): Geography (Physical Geography focus), Geology / Earth Sciences, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics.
- If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component test area) or equivalent.Â
- ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend £21,805 p.a. for 2026/27 (2027/28 TBC) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
- A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between ‘home’ and ‘international’ fees being waived by the registering university.Â
How to Apply
To apply for the ARIES Doctoral Training Partnership please simply select the online application link for PhD Physical Geography. Within the research section of the application form, in the following fields, please add: ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ add: ARIES 27-10 Westoby
When the application asks for a research proposal, please just upload a blank document. A research proposal is not needed for this programme as you are applying directly to a studentship project.
The closing date for applications is 16 December 2026.Â
For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our how to apply for a research degree webpage
or contact the Doctoral College at research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Matt Westoby.